Van de Zandschulp Advances as Griekspoor Exits Shanghai Masters

Botic van de Zandschulp recovered from a disastrous opening set to defeat Daniel Mérida Aguilar 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 at the Shanghai Masters, while fellow Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor lost to Russian qualifier Pavel Kotov in the first round. The contrasting results continued the players' campaigns in China, with Van de Zandschulp advancing to face American Alex Michelsen on Saturday.

Van de Zandschulp, ranked No. 41 in the world, struggled early against Mérida Aguilar, losing the opening set 6-1. He responded by breaking serve at the start of the second set and maintained his service games to level the match.

The Dutchman gained further control in the deciding set as Mérida Aguilar committed double faults and unforced errors. Van de Zandschulp converted two early breaks to secure the 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory.

The result extends a season in which Van de Zandschulp has climbed from No. 75 to No. 41 in the world rankings. His run to the US Open quarterfinals contributed significantly to that rise, according to Tennis Grandstand's report.

The report described “finding a way” as an increasingly established feature of Van de Zandschulp's season. He will next meet Michelsen, the world No. 35, on Saturday.

Griekspoor, meanwhile, was unable to overcome Kotov, who entered the Shanghai tournament ranked No. 187 and had not won a Masters-level match in two years. Kotov took the first set 6-4 before holding firm in the second to complete the upset.

Griekspoor had an opportunity to change the match's direction at 4-4 in the second set but failed to convert his only break point of the set. Kotov subsequently won the tiebreak 7-4 to seal the victory and eliminate the Dutchman in the opening round.

The defeat marked Griekspoor's third first-round exit in China during the year, following losses to Denis Shapovalov in Chengdu and Andrey Rublev in Beijing. His Shanghai campaign ended despite his recent success alongside Van de Zandschulp in Davis Cup doubles.

According to Tennis Grandstand, the Netherlands defeated Colombia in Davis Cup qualifying, securing progress toward the 2027 draw. Griekspoor's early exit in Shanghai contrasted with that recent team result, while Van de Zandschulp remained in contention at the Masters tournament.